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Biomass Energy. Megan Samson, Josh Marré, Liz McTernan, Gio Mazzone, Dylan Evans, Taylor Esperti. What is Biomass?. Any solid, nonhazardous, cellulosic material derived from: forest-related resources solid wood wastes agricultural wastes plants grown exclusively as a fuel
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Biomass Energy Megan Samson, Josh Marré, Liz McTernan, Gio Mazzone, Dylan Evans, Taylor Esperti
What is Biomass? • Any solid, nonhazardous, cellulosic material derived from: • forest-related resources • solid wood wastes • agricultural wastes • plants grown exclusively as a fuel *Based on the definition of biomass in the 2005 Energy Act
What is the current NY/US investment in Biomass power? Why? • New York State depends on out of state sources for 92 percent of its energy needs, according to New York Biomass Energy Alliance, we import 1.8 billion gallons of fuel oil each year at a cost of $5.5 billion. • Senator Ritchie: biomass could fuel 140,000 upstate jobs. He also noted that one developer has proposed a cogeneration project using biomass for Ogdensburg, which would mean a $50 million, private sector investment, and the creation of 150 local jobs. • *This information was as of Sep. 2011*
What are the latest scientific advancements on Biomass power? • “Aggressive action to develop advanced biofuels by 2015 could allow America to produce the equivalent of the same amount of oil by 2050 that we currently import from the Persian Gulf.” • At the same time we would make our vehicles more efficient and make plug-in hybrids widely available. • Flexible-fuel vehicle requirements are being considered at the national level that will prompt manufacturers to equip all new cars and trucks for both gasoline and biofuels within about a decade. • Improved high-tech "gasification" systems could bring down the cost of biomass energy to 5 cents per kilowatt-hour. • Researchers are testing the ability of fast-growing, cost-efficient trees such as poplar and eucalyptus, and grasses such as switch grass and alfalfa, to be harvested as biofuels. • More power plants will soon burn biomass along with coal to reduce their polluting emissions. Facilities can recover the cost of adopting the new technology within a few years.
How many Biomass power plants does NY/US have? • There are 22 Biomass plants in the United States. • There are 25 plants currently being planned to go up in the United States. • There are 2 Biomass plants in New York State.
How much (%) electricity is currently being generated by Biomass power in the US? 7,000 megawatts to the National Power grid
Why is Biomass power better than each of the other alternative energy sources at generating electricity – what are the pros? • Compared to Wind and Solar Energy: • Provides base load renewable energy (24/7) on a cost effective basis. z Has numerous societal benefits: • Supports hazardous fuels reduction and healthy forests • Net improvement in air quality • Provides employment (4.9 jobs/MW) • Reduces waste material destined for landfills • Fuel Supply • Sustainable long term supply • Economically available • Environmentally available • Meets quality specifications
More advantages… • Every year in the United States, roughly 39 million tons of crop residues go unused. Properly harnessed, this waste could produce about 7,500 megawatts of power. • Biomass produces no harmful sulfur or mercury emissions and has significantly less nitrogen -- less acid rain, smog and other toxic air pollutants. • Over time, if growth of biomass is managed, conversion to energy can result in low or no net carbon dioxide emissions. • Using biofuels in our cars can produce less global warming pollution than gasoline • This also allows us to invest our energy dollars at home rather than with foreign oil companies. • Switch grass, is becoming a promising source of biofuel. • It can help reduce erosion and nitrogen runoff • increases soil carbon faster when mowed than when standing. • Ethanol production plants are owned by farmer-cooperatives, which help preserve the economic vitality of rural communities.
Why is Biomass power not so good? What are the cons? • Fuel Supply • Community Support • Project Economics • Appropriate Technology • Sitting/Infrastructure • Crops--weather
Works Cited "Biomass." energy supplements. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Apr. 2012. <apps1.eere.energy.gov/tribalenergy/pdfs/course_tcd0801_ca12x.pdf>. "NRDC: Renewable Energy for America: Biomass." Natural Resources Defense Council – The Earth’s Best Defense | NRDC. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Apr. 2012. <http://www.nrdc.org/energy/renewables/biomass.asp>. "Redirect Notice." Google. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Apr. 2012. <http://www.google.com/imgres?q=grass&um=1&hl=en&sa=N&biw=1024&bih=571&tbm=isch&tbnid=pP-PWlziakEcBM:&imgrefurl=http://scottsurovell.blogspot.com/2012/01/dillon-rule-height-of-grass.html&docid=teyXzo1GTWHjBM&imgurl=http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pkqeww_Gof8/Txl>. http://www.nysenate.gov/press-release/senator-ritchie-biomass-could-fuel-140000-upstate-jobs MLA formatting by BibMe.org.